In February 2003 the US Department of Homeland Security launched the Ready campaign. It is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural and technological disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The goal of the national campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation. ReadyWisconsin is our stateís counterpart to the national campaign.

Where is ReadyWisconsin coming from?

The ReadyWisconsin campaign, launched in September 2008, is a joint initiative of Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Wisconsin Citizen Corps. It is funded by US Department of Homeland Security.

What does ReadyWisconsin include?

The project localizes the citizen preparedness message with information, materials and resources customized to Wisconsinís state, regional and local emergency preparedness landscape. ReadyWisconsin asks individuals to do four key things:

Get an emergency supply kit

Make a family emergency plan

Be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses

Get involved in emergency preparedness and response in their own communities

In addition to customizing existing Ready materials, ReadyWisconsin creates an abundance of new materials such as:

Hazard-specific fact sheets for both adults and children, with puzzles, games and other original materials

Localized hazard-specific public service announcements

Posters

Can I print and distribute the materials located on the website?

Absolutely. Any individual or organization can use them freely.

Can ReadyWisconsin materials be customized?

Yes, under three conditions:

If you want to use the content as is and simply add your organizationís logo, weíll simply send you an editable file in Microsoft Publisher format.

If you plan to keep the ReadyWisconsin logo, but further edit the content, then you must have the draft document approved by the state ReadyWisconsin coordinator before you publish it.

If you want to edit the content and do not intend to keep the ReadyWisconsin logo, then you are free to use and edit the content in any way you wish without further approval.

How can I stay informed when new information, materials and resources become available from ReadyWisconsin?

ReadyWisconsin has an RSS Feed function under development that will soon be ready to use. All you need do is subscribe to the feed to get all the notices and press releases that we distribute. For further information, please go to our press room.

How can individuals and organizations get involved in supporting ReadyWisconsin?

We have three recommendations:

Contact an existing local organization that has a role in emergency preparedness. To see a partial list of such organizations, go to the WeVolunteer links page.

Contact your county emergency management director to see what needs the county may have for your services. For a list of county emergency management directors refer to the Wisconsin Emergency Management website.

Enter your name in the Aidmatrix Network database. This portal is designed to make it as easy as possible to make financial support, products or to volunteer your skills and time to the nonprofit organizations that most need it.

Please follow the recommendations listed here or you run the risk that first responders will not be able to use your support in a timely manner.

ReadyWisconsin is an initiative of Wisconsin Emergency Management designed to educate and empower Wisconsinites to prepare for
and respond to all kinds of emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.